Pfeffernusse Cookies

Pfeffernüsse are traditional small German Christmas cookies spiced with black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon cloves, ground ginger, and nutmeg.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 30 mins
• Calories: 284 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons anise extract
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.75 cup white sugar
• 1.5 teaspoons baking soda
• 0.5 cup brown sugar
• 0.25 cup margarine
• 0.25 cup honey
• 0.25 cup shortening
• 0.5 cup molasses
• 1.5 teaspoons ground cardamom
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar for dusting

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

Step 2

Roll dough into acorn-sized balls and place 1 inch apart on baking sheets.

Step 3

Bake in the preheated oven until firm to the touch with slight cracking, 10 to 15 minutes. Cool on the baking sheets briefly before removing them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 4

Dust cooled cookies with confectioners' sugar. Store in an airtight container.

Step 5

Place molasses, honey, shortening, and margarine in a saucepan over medium heat; cook and stir until creamy.

Step 6

Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Beat in eggs.

Step 7

Combine flour, white sugar, brown sugar, anise, cinnamon, cardamom, baking soda, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, black pepper, and salt in a large bowl.

Step 8

Add molasses mixture; stir until thoroughly combined. Refrigerate dough until well chilled, about 2 hours.